US3779241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Intrauterine contraceptive device and method for its use
Assignee: Ethyl Corp
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Filing: 1971-10-20
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1991-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for birth control utilizing an intrauterine contraceptive device which includes a preformed, hollow body with thin, flexible walls, the hollow body having the approximate size and shape of the uterine cavity. A flexible, compressible, filler material substantially completely fills the hollow body so that the walls of the hollow body make contact with a major portion of the walls of the uterine cavity when the device is in position within the uterine cavity. In a preferred form, the hollow body is filled with a polymerizable organosiloxane material after being placed in the uterine cavity and the material is then polymerized to produce a device having substantially the size and shape of a normal uterine cavity.
Inventors
- 👤 W Vennard
- 👤 J Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/06; A61F6/14; A61F6/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising: a preformed hollow body having a shape approximating an equilateral triangle with a continuous, imperforate top wall joined at its periphery to a continuous, imperforate bottom wall, said walls being formed of a thin, flexible material and being connected to each other by connector stem means at one or more points intermediate their peripheries to limit expansion of said body; means defining an opening in one of the apices of said hollow body for filling and emptying said hollow body; means closing said opening; and a flexible, compressible, filler material substantially completely filling said hollow body whereby the walls of said body will make contact with a major portion of the walls of said uterine cavity when said device is positioned in said uterine cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising: a preformed hollow body having a shape approximating an equilateral triangle with a continuous, imperforate top wall joined at its periphery to a continuous, imperforate bottom wall, said walls being formed of a thin, flexible material and being connected to each other by connector stem means at one or more points intermediate their peripheries to limit expansion of said body; means defining an opening in one of the apices of said hollow body for filling and emptying said hollow body; means closing said opening; and a flexible, compressible, filler material substantially completely filling said hollow body whereby the walls of said body will make contact with a major portion of the walls of said uterine cavity when said device is positioned in said uterine cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The intrauterine contraceptive device of claim 1 wherein said hollow body is made from a material selected from the group consisting of organosiloxane polymers, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, plasticized polyvinyl chloride, plasticized polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyesters, polyethers, polvinyl acetate, polyethylene oxide, polyurethanes, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and water soluble polystarches and polycellulosics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The intrauterine contraceptive device of claim 1 wherein said hollow body has fixedly attached thereto means for engaging said hollow body for removing said hollow body from the uterine cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The intrauterine contraceptive device of claim 1 wherein said means for engaging said body includes a thin, hollow, elongated stem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The intrauterine contraceptive device of claim 4 wherein said stem is closed by a flexible plug.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The intrauterine countraceptive device of claim 1 wherein said top and bottom walls are connected together substantially at their center by a single said connector stem means which is integrally formed with said top and bottom walls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The intrauterine contraceptive device of claim 1 wherein said hollow body is made from a material which is soluble in the fluids normally present in the uterine cavity and said hollow body serves as a mold for a permanent intrauterine contraceptive device produced by filling said hollow body with a fluid polymerizable prepolymer or monomer after said hollow body is positioned within the uterus and polymerizing said prepolymer or monomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intrauterine contraceptive device of claim 1 wherein the sides of said body are generally parabolic in shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising: a preformed hollow body having a shape approximating an equilateral triangle with a continuous, imperforate top wall joined at its periphery to a continuous, imperforate bottom wall, said walls being formed of a thin, flexible material and being connected to each other at a plurality of spaced apart areas which extend inwardly from the side edges of said top and bottom walls to limit expansion of said body; means defining an opening in one of the apices of said hollow body for filling and emptying said hollow body; means closing said opening; and a flexible, compressible, filler material substantially completely filling said hollow body whereby the walls of said body will make contact with a major portion of the walls of said uterine cavity when said device is positioned in said uterine cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising: a preformed hollow body having a shape approximating an equilateral triangle with a continuous, imperforate top wall joined at its periphery to a continuous, imperforate bottom wall, said walls being formed of a thin, flexible material and being connected to each other at a plurality of spaced apart areas which extend inwardly from the side edges of said top and bottom walls to limit expansion of said body; means defining an opening in one of the apices of said hollow body for filling and emptying said hollow body; means closing said opening; and a flexible, compressible, filler material substantially completely filling said hollow body whereby the walls of said body will make contact with a major portion of the walls of said uterine cavity when said device is positioned in said uterine cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising: a preformed hollow body having a shape approximating an equilateral triangle with a continuous, imperforate top wall joined at its periphery to a continuous, imperforate bottom wall, said walls being formed of a thin, flexible material and being connected to each other at a centrally located, triangularly shaped area to limit expansion of said body; means defining an opening in one of the apices of said hollow body for filling and emptying said hollow body; means closing said opening; and a flexible, compressible, filler material substantially completely filling said hollow body whereby the walls of said body will make contact with a major portion of the walls of said uterine cavity when said device is positioned in said uterine cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising: a preformed hollow body having a shape approximating an equilateral triangle with a continuous, imperforate top wall joined at its periphery to a continuous, imperforate bottom wall, said walls being formed of a thin, flexible material and being connected to each other at a centrally located, triangularly shaped area to limit expansion of said body; means defining an opening in one of the apices of said hollow body for filling and emptying said hollow body; means closing said opening; and a flexible, compressible, filler material substantially completely filling said hollow body whereby the walls of said body will make contact with a major portion of the walls of said uterine cavity when said device is positioned in said uterine cavity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
134 words
An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising: a preformed hollow body having a shape approximating an equilateral triangle with a continuous, imperforate top wall joined at its periphery to a continuous, imperforate bottom wall, said walls being formed of a thin, flexible material and being connected to each other along at least two spaced apart lines extending inwardly from the top edge of said walls to limit expansion of said body; means defining an opening in one of the apices of said hollow body for filling and emptying said hollow body; means closing said opening; and a flexible, compressible, filler material substantially completely filling said hollow body whereby the walls of said body will make contact with a major portion of the walls of said uterine cavity when said device is positioned in said uterine cavity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
134 words
An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising: a preformed hollow body having a shape approximating an equilateral triangle with a continuous, imperforate top wall joined at its periphery to a continuous, imperforate bottom wall, said walls being formed of a thin, flexible material and being connected to each other along at least two spaced apart lines extending inwardly from the top edge of said walls to limit expansion of said body; means defining an opening in one of the apices of said hollow body for filling and emptying said hollow body; means closing said opening; and a flexible, compressible, filler material substantially completely filling said hollow body whereby the walls of said body will make contact with a major portion of the walls of said uterine cavity when said device is positioned in said uterine cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |